‘He is my rock’: Meet the YEP’s Valentine’s Day competition winner

They are there for us through thick and thin, joy and sorrow, good times and bad.

And today, the YEP can reveal the winner of our Valentine’s Day competition - after asking readers to tell us what makes their partner special to be in the running for a Leeds Trinity gift card.

Jemma Carlisle nominated husband Joe for being her emotional rock through some of their darkest days.

The couple, who live in Morley, were expecting their first child this year but 20 weeks into the pregnancy, doctors broke the devastating news that their baby had slim chances of survival due to a urinary condition.

Mrs Carlisle, 30, went ahead with the pregnancy and, supported by her husband, gave birth to baby Oliver George on January 2.

“Joe knew more than me what the outcome would be with Oliver,” Mrs Carlisle said.

“But I could feel him moving inside, I was hopeful.

“The doctors were telling us there was no hope, he had little chance but I didn’t want to hear it at the time.”

Baby Oliver sadly died two days after being born.

Mrs Carlisle said that despite grieving himself, her husband has supported her every step of the way emotionally and physically.

She said: “He has been coping through it himself, and had the distress of watching me go through the C-section because I have a heart condition too and he was worried about that.

After sharing the story and nominating Mr Carlisle, a hairdresser at Strands in Horsforth, the couple have been chosen as the winners of our Valentine’s Day competition, organised in partnership with Trinity Leeds shopping centre.

They will now be treated to a £100 gift card to spend at the shopping centre.

Dan Wharton, marketing manager at Trinity Leeds, said: “Jemma and Joe have been through a very difficult time and are incredibly brave.

“It’s touching to hear their story and how they have supported each other, and we hope we can make their Valentine’s Day that little bit more special.”